Sling you wear that carries Fishing rods securely to your body for hands free safety

ABSTRACT

A sling you wear that carries fishing rods securely to your body on the front or back, allowing hands free maneuvering for optimal safety and balance, for use with one or multiple fishing rods with equipment, of alike or different types, as well as the option of using for carrying or transporting a walking cane for those who rely on a walking cane to be mobile. The sling is constructed of medium to heavy weight polypropylene webbing, durable plastic square side release buckle, elastic strap, hook and loop fastener and may be customized with a few added accessories which would not interfere with the primary function.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/179,093 filed 2009 May 18 by the present inventor.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a sling that carries fishing rods securely to your body while walking, climbing, riding or wading for hands free maneuvering for optimal safety. The sling is designed to carry one or more fishing rods of alike or different rod types with equipment and can be worn on the front or on the back of the individual. The process of making the sling is disclosed herein.

2. Prior Art

The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant:

Patent Number Kind Code Issue Date Patentee 5,400,937 B1 1995 Mar. 28 Rottenberg 5,664,721 B1 1997 Sep. 09 Homeyer 6,267,276 B1 2001 Jul. 31 Cook

The sport of fishing has been an American past time for generations. Commonly a fisherman will have a favorite spot or location to fish that he has frequented for years. These locations are sometimes difficult to get to whether walking on foot, riding a bicycle, motorcycle or ATV (all terrain vehicle), and even more so as the individual gets up in years. A fishing trip can be a spontaneous simple outing with simple equipment but can also be a well planned elaborate outing with elaborate equipment. Either way, the outing can be fun and memorable especially when sufficient equipment is used and safety precautions are recognized.

The development and manufacturing of all types of fishing equipment has notably changed and improved over time. Many of these fishing tackle items and accessories have significantly evolved, clearly from a technology standpoint, while other items and accessories have remained fairly close to their original design. Agreeably, the less intricate or complicated the fishing equipment is, the easier it is to understand and use to it's fully created potential. The abundance and diversity of equipment available encourages all ages to participate in the sport and allows fishermen to gear up with equipment that reflects their own particular needs.

There are various sling type carriers as well as the ones described in several U.S. patents including U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,937 (1995), 5,664,721 (1997), 6,267,276 (2001). The three different sling type carriers described in the above listed U.S. patents are respectively, a backpack style carrier, a strap supported pouch with rod carrier, and a ski and ski pole carrying device.

While the related prior art sling type carriers are successful at carrying or transporting the equipment they are designed for, they bear some disadvantages:

(a) One disadvantage to the carriers that are backpack style is that the equipment is always carried on the back and therefore not easily accessible without removing the entire apparatus and after removing, having to lay the apparatus down somewhere or on something, which may further complicate the releasing of the equipment carried. Another disadvantage to this type of carrier is that if the sportsman is on foot and his or her desired destination is remote or the terrain is rugged, the sportsman will at some point require a rest before he or she continues and if he or she chooses to sit during this rest, the size or length of the equipment may make sitting very uncomfortable requiring again, removal of the apparatus.

(b) The carriers that are strap supported with a fishing pouch and a rod carrier, have the disadvantage of being bulky and troublesome if worn on the side because the burden of weight being carried is on one side and not balanced. Maintaining your balance while walking anywhere, especially outdoors, is of utmost importance to prevent falling and possible serious injury. Also the placement of the side pouch hinders the view on that particular side, blocking a clear field of vision on the immediate walking route, and small rocks, sticks or uneven ground could pose unforeseen problems.

(c) The design of the ski and ski pole carrying device in relation to the present invention is in part similar but specifically designed for the sport of skiing. A disadvantage to the specific design of the ski and ski pole carrying device that loops around the body being worn over the shoulder and under the opposite arm, is that it lacks a component that would prevent it from slipping around while being worn, compromising the wearers safety and the safety of others close by.

ADVANTAGES

The prior art sling type carriers listed, and other related prior art offer people with different ways to carry or transport the type of equipment they need for the sports or activities they enjoy. Accordingly there is a need for device which can be used as sling to carry or transport one or more fishing rods securely to the front or back of your body that is simple, convenient, quick and easy to use, compact and lightweight, which promotes and allows hands free maneuvering for optimal safety. The present invention of a sling you wear that carries fishing rods securely to your body for hands free safety overcomes these and other disadvantages of the related prior art by providing the following objects and advantages:

(a) to provide a sling type carrier that allows hands free maneuvering for optimal safety and balance while walking, hiking, climbing, riding a horse, bicycle, motorcycle or ATV (all terrain vehicle), or wading in various bodies of water including creeks, streams, rivers and lakes.

(b) to provide a sling type carrier that is not cumbersome and remains on the sportsman while easily removing the fishing rods with equipment to be used, as well as allowing quick and easy return of the fishing rods with equipment to the carrying position.

(c) to provide a sling type carrier for multiple, alike or different rod types with equipment.

(d) to provide a sling type carrier that fits securely to your body worn on the front or back, whichever is more desirable for the specific carrying or transporting situation.

(e) to provide worry free outings by always knowing where a favorite or expensive fishing equipment piece or pieces are while preventing them from being lost while wading because of a fall or mishap in the water or stolen because they were left on an embankment or forgotten due to random distractions.

(f) to provide a sling type carrier to transport fishing rods with equipment while enjoying water sports using various watercraft such as float tubes, rafts, pontoons, kayaks and canoes.

(g) to provide a sling type carrier that can also be used for transporting a walking cane for those that use or rely on a walking cane to be mobile.

Along with the objects listed, some of the advantages of the present invention are as follows: it is simple, convenient, quick and easy to use, compact and lightweight, which promotes and allows hands free maneuvering for optimal safety.

SUMMARY

The present invention described and disclosed herein comprises a distinct device incorporated with one or more fishing rods with equipment, to be used as a sling you wear that carries fishing rods with equipment securely to your body on the front or back for hands free maneuvering for optimal safety and optionally used to carry a walking cane for those who use or rely on a walking cane to be mobile.

DRAWINGS Figures

For a more complete understanding of the invention and advantages thereof reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of the sling of the present invention in use.

FIG. 2 illustrates a back view of the sling of the present invention in use.

FIG. 3 illustrates a frontal view of the sling of the present invention without a fishing rod with equipment, ready to be put on the wearer.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the sling of the present invention without a fishing rod with equipment, ready to be put on the wearer.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   2 Sling Strap     -   4 Stitch Pattern Assembly     -   6 Hook and Loop fastener     -   8 Elastic Strap     -   10 Elastic Loop and Tab     -   12 Square Side Release Buckle     -   14 Present Invention     -   20 Fishing Rod with Equipment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of the sling you wear that carries a fishing rod with equipment 20 securely to your body for hands free safety of the present invention 14.

FIG. 2 illustrates a back view of the sling you wear that carries a fishing rod with equipment 20 securely to your body for hands free safety of the present invention 14.

FIG. 3 illustrates a frontal view of the sling itself of the present invention 14 and a side view of the square side release buckle 12, without a fishing rod with equipment 20, ready to be put on the wearer having the following components:

The sling strap 2 is made of 1″ to 1½″ wide but not limited to 1″ to 1½″ wide, medium weight to heavy weight polypropylene webbing that is available in many different colors. The sling strap 2 is cut 5½′ to 7½′ in length, but not limited to 5½′ to 7½′ in length. Take one end of the sling strap 2 and thread it through the top opening slots on the male buckle end piece of the square side release buckle 12, being the same width as the sling strap 2, 1″ to 1½″ wide, but not limited to 1″ to 1½″ wide, made of durable plastic, but not limited to durable plastic, pulling the sling strap 2 through with an ample amount, approximately 6″ to 10″, to allow for adjusting to a specific size. Once threaded, that same end of the sling strap 2 is then finished by turning back ½″ and sewing, riveting or fusing back to itself to prevent fraying, achieving maximum durability. Then take the opposite end of the sling strap 2 and threading through the top opening slot on the remaining female buckle end piece of the square side release buckle 12, 1″ to 1½″ wide but not limited to 1″ to 1½″ wide, pulling through 1½″ to 2″ length but not limited to 1½″ to 2″ in length and sewing, riveting or fusing to the same backside of the sling strap 2, preferably a stitch pattern assembly 4, using a triple box-X pattern as shown in FIG. 4, enclosing the female buckle end piece of the square side release buckle 12, achieving maximum durability.

The elastic strap 8, 1″ to 1½″ wide, but not limited to 1″ to 1½″ wide, preferably black in color and medium or heavy weight elastic, is cut 17″ in length but not limited to 17″ in length. Measuring 17″ to 27″ but not limited to 17″ to 27″, from where the female buckle end piece of the square side release buckle 12 is sewn, riveted or fused, up the backside of the sling strap 2, sew, rivet or fuse one end of the pre-cut elastic strap 8, 1″ to 1½″ wide but not limited to 1″ to 1½″ wide, and 17″ in length but not limited to 17″ in length, to the sling strap 2 on the same backside. From the point where the first end of the elastic strap 8 is sewn, riveted or fused, continue to measure up the backside of sling strap 2, 20″ to 30″, but not limited to 20″ to 30″, and sew, rivet or fuse, with no twisting, the remaining end of elastic strap 8 to the same backside of the sling strap 2.

The elastic loop and tab 10, 1″ to 1½″ wide, but not limited to 1″ to 1½″ wide, preferably black in color and medium or heavy weight elastic is cut 4″ in length but not limited to 4″ in length. The two elastic ends are then sewn, riveted or fused together. Then turn outside in and sew a straight stitch approximately ½″ to ¾″ back and parallel from the original two elastic ends sewn together, creating the elastic loop and tab 10. Stretch and slide the loop part of the elastic loop and tab 10 over the female buckle end piece of the square side release buckle 12 allowing it to rest just above the female buckle end piece of the square side release buckle 12 and move freely up and down the sling strap 2.

Each hook and loop fastener 6 piece is cut the same either fastened together or separately in 3½″ to 4½″ lengths, but not limited to 3½″ to 4½″ lengths. After cutting the hook and loop fastener 6, separate if fastened together and refasten overlapping only 1″ to 1½″, the same width of the sling strap 2 and measure 1′ to 2″, but not limited to 1″ to 2″ on the backside of the sling strap 2 from the first elastic strap 8 that was sewn, riveted or fused and sew, rivet or fuse the hook and loop fastener 6 to the backside of the sling strap 2, preferably with the hook part of the hook and loop fastener 6 coming from the right side looking straight on and the loop part of the hook and loop fastener 6 coming from the left side looking straight on. An optional fastener or closure in place of the hook and loop fastener 6 may be a small disc type magnet fastener or closure sewn on or in a strip of adequate strength fabric, commonly used in various products where a fastener or closure is desired to keep items secure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the sling itself of the present invention 14 and a more frontal view of the square side release buckle 12, without a fishing rod with equipment 20, ready to be put on the wearer.

Additional accessories such as a small pouch for several small tackle necessities or a fish net can be attached to the sling strap 2 for customizing by tying on or using a carabiner.

Furthermore, alternative materials such as leather or heavy duty cotton cloth can be substituted for the medium to heavy weight polypropylene webbing.

Operation

The manner of using a sling you wear that carries fishing rods securely to your body for hands free safety or optionally used as a carrier for transporting a walking cane for those that use or rely on a walking cane to be mobile, is as follows: Unbuckle the square side release buckle 12. To be worn on the front, place left arm through the sling strap 2 and the elastic strap 8 making sure the hook and loop fastener 6 is close to the top of left shoulder and the square side release buckle 12 is at the right hip. Then buckle together the square side release buckle 12. Adjust the fit accordingly by pulling on the sling strap 2 that is threaded through the male buckle end piece of the square side release buckle 12, making it snug. Grab the tab part of the elastic loop and tab 10 with thumb and forefinger and pull the loop part of the elastic loop and tab 10 to stretch over the end or butt of the fishing rod with equipment 20 or optional walking cane, sliding the end or butt of the rod into the loop part of the elastic loop and tab 10 up to the secured fishing reel or appropriate comfortable placement on the rod handle, or sliding the end of the walking cane to an appropriate comfortable placement for carrying or transporting a walking cane. Then unfasten, the hook and loop fastener 6 and place the section of the fishing rod and equipment 20 where the fishing rod breaks down, at the point of the hook and loop fastener 6 and fasten the hook and loop fastener 6 securely around. For carrying or transporting a walking cane, follow the same procedure placing the top section of the cane at the point of the hook and loop fastener 6 and fasten the hook and loop fastener 6 securely around.

After assembled, to change from worn on the front to worn on the back simply unbuckle the square side release buckle 12 at the right hip and proceed by placing the right arm through the sling strap 2 and the elastic strap 8 making sure the hook and loop fastener 6 is close to the top of the back right shoulder and the elastic loop and tab 10 is at the left hip. Then buckle together the square side release buckle 12.

To carry multiple fishing rods with equipment 20, simply add another elastic loop and tab 10 in the same way the original one was applied in paragraph 17 and follow the same assembly instructions with the additional fishing rod with equipment 20.

ADVANTAGES

From the description above, a number of advantages of my sling you wear that carries fishing rods securely to your body for hands free safety become evident:

(a) The design and the function of the present invention is simple and straightforward. making it convenient, quick and easy to use wherever and whenever needed.

(b) The design and function of the present invention promotes and allows hands free maneuvering for optimal safety especially when walking, hiking, climbing, riding a horse, bicycle, motorcycle or ATV (all terrain vehicle), or wading in various bodies of water including creeks, streams, rivers and lakes as well as when carrying or transporting fishing rods with equipment while enjoying water sports using various water craft such as float tubes, rafts, pontoons, kayaks and canoes.

(c) The elements of the embodiment of the present invention allow for carrying multiple fishing rods making it possible to fish with one rod and switch over to the other rod when needed or desired.

(d) The elements of the embodiment of the present invention permit the advantage of being compact and light weight making it simple and effortless to store by folding up and putting in a small pack or pocket.

(e) The elements of the embodiment of the present invention permit the advantage of remaining on the wearer at all times whether in use or not in use.

(f) The present invention provides an optional use for carrying or transporting a walking cane for those that use or rely on a walking cane to be mobile.

(g) The present invention fills the need of a sling type carrier that can be worn by any fisherman, young and old alike and may be customized with a few added accessories that would not interfere with the primary function of the present invention.

CONCLUSION

The present invention can be constructed and manufactured with the above mentioned modifications and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Although the description above includes many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Since the diversity and availability of fishing rods with equipment could vary considerably, and are not an actual part of the present invention, they have not been described in detail. 

1. A sling you wear that carries fishing rods securely to your body on the front or back for hands free maneuvering for optimal safety and balance while walking, hiking, climbing, riding a horse, bicycle, motorcycle or ATV (all terrain vehicle), or wading in various bodies of water including creeks, streams, rivers and lakes, as well as for carrying or transporting fishing rods with equipment while enjoying water sports using various water craft such as float tubes, rafts, pontoons, kayaks and canoes.
 2. The fishing rod sling device of claim 1 wherein the sling strap is made of medium to heavy weight polypropylene webbing, heavy duty cotton cloth or leather.
 3. The fishing rod sling device of claim 1 wherein the said device can be constructed and manufactured with modifications and other changes without departing from the scope of the present invention.
 4. The fishing rod sling device of claim 2 wherein an additional elastic loop and tab is added to the present invention creating the ability to carry multiple fishing rods with equipment of alike or different types.
 5. The fishing rod sling device of claim 3 wherein the square side release buckle is made of durable plastic, or sufficient metal buckle alternative.
 6. The fishing rod sling device of claim 3 wherein hook and loop fastener system is used or a sufficient small disc type magnet fastener or other adequate fastener system.
 7. The fishing rod sling device of claim 1 wherein said device can be optionally used for carrying or transporting a walking cane for those who rely on a walking cane to be mobile. 